Tucked away in the old streets, Starbucks Coffee Kawagoe Bell Street Store completely overturns the usual modern image of a chain coffee shop. The entire building blends perfectly with the Edo-period kurazukuri townhouse style, with dark wooden roof tiles and naturally draped white Japanese noren curtains. Even the sign has been specially weathered, understated yet full of character.
With coffee in hand, I walked through the corridor and found a lush little Japanese garden hidden in the back. The calm of the traditional old house mingles with the aroma of coffee. During an afternoon stroll through the historic streets, sitting here makes it especially easy to enjoy the comfort of time slowing down.
Starbucks Coffee Kawagoe Bell Street Store | Review by Eddie
Other Reviews by Eddie
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Deai Bridge
Deai Bridge is a 107-meter-long suspension bridge that leads to the Shirakawa-go gassho-zukuri village, a registered World Heritage site. The bridge connects the convenient public parking area, 'Village-Operated Sesaragi Park Parking Lot', to the village, and crossing the bridge brings you to the entrance of the village.
As I crossed Deai Bridge, the mountain breeze blowing toward me still carried a slight chill.
The water of the Shokawa River below was so clear it shimmered, with a faint blue-green hue. The rushing sound of the water blocked out all the noise from outside the village. The entire mountain before me had just taken on a fresh layer of green, with soft, pale new leaves interspersed among the dark cedar trees, creating distinct layers.
Even though the sky was slightly overcast and there was no bright sunshine, the clean, refreshing air and expansive river view still made me stop in the middle of the bridge. Before I even entered the gassho-zukuri village, this mountain and river scenery had already calmed my mind. -
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Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse
This red brick warehouse was a world-renowned state-of-the-art Japanese warehouse from the Meiji era into the Taisho era. Presently, its appearance has been maintained, and the 2-building warehouse contains shops, restaurants, and a multipurpose hall, making it a culture and shopping spot.
On the way to the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse, I happened to pass through the garden walkway beside it.
The sun wasn't too strong that day, and there was a light breeze, making it just right for a stroll along the harbor. A field of small purple flowers and green trees swayed gently in the wind. Beyond the flowers and greenery stood the old red brick building, quiet and still. The view from this angle was unexpectedly pleasant, with a wonderful sense of depth.
Compared with the lively market atmosphere right in front of the warehouse, I actually preferred this walkway. There were fewer of the crowds and noise often found at tourist spots, and the air carried the faint scents of plants and the sea breeze. I slowly wandered along the stone-paved path with the wind blowing, watching the century-old building blend in with the blooming flowers and greenery. It had a relaxed feeling that naturally made me unwind.
Walking around Yokohama is always like this. You don't necessarily have to rush from place to place just to check things off a list. Little corners you happen to find along the way are enough to make you want to stop and take them in for a while. -
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The Time Bell Tower (Toki no kane)
Kawagoe is only about an hour away from the center of Tokyo, and it is a city where you can enjoy the quaint streets. One of the most famous tourist landmarks in this city is the Bell of Time. It is a landmark with a striking presence in the street lined with old-fashioned warehouses.
Looking up at the sky over Little Edo Kawagoe, no landmark stands out more than the centuries-old wooden bell tower known as the Bell of Time (Toki no Kane).
This three-story wooden structure, about 16 meters tall, has watched over the town since the early Edo period. Despite being rebuilt over the years after fires, it still stands beside the charming old warehouse district. Its bell rings every day at 6:00 a.m., noon, 3:00 p.m., and 6:00 p.m., and its calm, clear chime was selected as one of the “100 Soundscapes of Japan.”
Walking along the stone-paved path beneath the bell tower, I looked up at the dark brown wood grain, which appeared especially simple and charming against the blue sky. The area is surrounded by unique little shops and the aroma of Japanese sweets. When the bell’s gentle chime rings out, it feels as if you’ve traveled back in time to the lively yet leisurely days of old Edo. When visiting Kawagoe, be sure to stop and listen to this tranquil bell that has echoed through the centuries. -
